With a severe lack in hearing aid insurance benefit from Medicare and private insurance companies, shoppers need to be particularly keen on what they are investing in.  Here are several important points to take in to consideration:

1.) Does the provider offer a variety of brands and models?

No one hearing aid manufacturer is right for everyone, so you should first find out what kind of variety is available. In the hearing aid industry, there are six world leading manufacturers that hold over 90% of the market share.  It would be ideal if the provider you chose handled all six of these companies. If they work with at least three or four then this is still very good. If the hearing professional you are working with has a limited variety, then you may wonder if you are getting the best recommendation for your money.

(Some leading brands to look for are Phonak, Starkey, Siemens, Widex, Oticon, and ReSound)

2.) Is the provider easy to get to with flexible hours of operation?

Many people do not think about this, but hearing aids need regular maintenance and at times you may need help right away with little or no advance notice. It’s a good idea to find a full time, and fully staffed office that is easy to park in front of and can walk in to conveniently.

3.) Does the provider have the necessary time and tools to fit the hearing aids appropriately?

In 2006, Consumer Reports conducted a survey and concluded that about two-thirds of hearing aid wearers had incorrect amplification. The two best ways to correct this are routine follow-up visits, and (this one is very important) the use of “Real-Ear”. Without getting too technical, Real-Ear is a procedure/tool that measures the prescriptive output of a hearing aid as you are wearing it. To learn more about Real Ear and to verify your hearing aid fitting, call the number below and receive a free consultation.